Image of the Washington Ballet, by Carol Pratt.

Written by DCist contributor Amanda Abrams

The first week of October is something of a season kick-off for dance in Washington.

>> The week begins with a free show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage that includes performances by CityDance Ensemble, Laura Schandelmeier and Flamenco Aparicio (October 3, 6 p.m.).

>> The Metro DC Dance Awards, the dance community’s annual schmoozefest-slash-show, commemorates the best local performances of the year and includes performances by the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and Urban Artistry (October 6 at 8 p.m., $30).

>> Likely the biggest dance event of the month is Velocity DC, a sampler of some the area’s best known companies, including the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, CityDance Ensemble, Furia Flamenca and Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. Four shows are spread over three days at the Harman Center, with a couple different programs to choose from (October 7-8, 8 p.m.; October 9, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $18).